EXPERIENCES AND OBSERVATIONS DURING THE ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL ROTARACT CONFERENCE (APRRC) 2009

The Asia Pacific Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC) is an annual conference for Rotaract Clubs in Asia Pacific. This year’s APRRC Singapore is a recollection for me as participant and organizer. Aside from being part of the organizing committee as the country host for APRRC 2006 in Tagaytay, Philippines, my last participant APRRC attendance was during the 1st APRRC in Hongkong way back in 2003.

I think this year's APRRC was truly an “Asia Pacific” with the presence of Australia, China, Guam, and Korea. I was a bit surprised but we also had a Rotaractor from Germany. Some districts and countries included the APRRC fanatic like Taiwan (largest delegation), Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Hongkong, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, among others. There were about 400 participants from 21 countries that attended the event. This year’s APRRC country was hosted by Singapore of Rotary International District 3310.

Below is my list of APRRC 2009 Unforgettable Experiences / Observations:
- I should not be alone to represent my club next time.
- It is more challenging to deliver a talk in front of non fellow Filipinos!
- One can really propose a marriage in APRRC!
- High heels kill especially if the plenary venue is far from the hostel or dorm.
- White is the non-conventional color of blazer to set formality.
- Wearing great national costume attracts cameras, whether foreigners or fellow Filipinos.
- Bannerette should be satin type next time and not of tarpaulin material. It is so heavy to bring back undistributed ones so I really made an effort to give it all away :). However, I still have 25 out of 150 pieces!
- Aikido is a very interesting non-deliberate self defense.
- The $200.00 sensor key. It was really amazing how security system is very high tech.
- Foreigners usually easily appreciate and fall in-love with Filipinas!

Asia Source 3 Camp Journal – Day1

It's funny introducing myself. This is my first time to represent two hats! I’m officially representing Rotaract and STI Munoz. As stated in my proposal, Rotaract Cubao will surely use this training for the upcoming technical and community related activities. However, my company will directly benefit since the training is really technical in nature thus, they recognized this event as official business. Its really fun doing two things at the same time - passion for Rotaract while officially working too!

The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction as venue set a provincial and secluded mode. It is nice to hear the sounds of crickets! No aircondition needed due to natural cold weather.

Everyone was wowed by the Philippine style of welcome night. The foreigners were so amazed by the Philippine dances. Among the many dances were Banga, Tinikling, Sayaw sa Bangko, Malong, Singkil, and others. The last dance was the Philippine national dance – Tinikling. The dancers selected few and mostly foreigners to try our national dance. Its funny seeing how German, Korean and Indian danced Tinikling. By the way, the dancers picked me also and I enjoyed Tinikling. They thought I am a foreigner! Haha :)! Looks can really be deceiving!

My first hand lesson was about available grants from Japan and Italy. Through simple chit-chats also, I now have given a strategy on how to attend the next Asia Source Camp in Vietnam in 2011.

The first night and day were light and very welcoming. Everyone wore a smile and hello. I’m looking forward for the “official” first technical day today.

What a coincidence that my roommate is a former Rotaractor from Cagayan De Oro!

How Can Open Source Help Rotaract?

How can open source help Rotaract? Below is the initial list. You may add club / district problems encountered you want to give possible solutions. Please reply immediately to be included in the agenda. Suggestions are very welcome from Rotaractor / Rotarian IT experts and enthusiasts…

It’s official business but I am officially representing Rotaract Club of Cubao or Rotaract per se. This is in preparation for upcoming Asia Source 3 Camp come November 6-13, 2009.

-Tools / System that will empower certain community / organization:
1. Interactive Information Repository
- database of history, updated number of members / clubs every quarter, news compilation, minutes of the meetings, pictures, and other organization information archive
-features should include poll vote, chat, text messaging
-with appropriate access and restriction

2. Learning Tool / Module for Tutorial
-this is intended for target community’s tutorial on computer literacy
-should have basic, average and advance levels

3. Quick assessment tool in times of disaster
-can provide how many are affected
-in what area
-what are the needs (according to priorities)
-should have validation scheme
-should be quick

4. Satellite Office Set-up
-OS and applications are all open source

Pursuit Of Wellness

Since blogging is another way of sharing and helping, I think it would still be proper if I will share my company’s recent workshop on “Law of Laws”. I felt lucky enough to know and rediscover some of these “inner” things at an early age and should share to both hungry body and soul and to those who simply wants to know.

The inner “Pursuit of Wellness” topic covered wellness of body, mind and spirit. It talked about Universal, Emotional, Social, Vocational and Social Laws. I simply summarized the topics since deeper reflection is called that might bore you :) and only gave emphasis on the “Law of Purpose Through Service”.

LAW OF LAWS:
I. Universal Law
1. Law of Esprit or Inner Joy
2. Law of Personal Accountability
3. Law of Unity

II. Emotional Law
1. Law of Stress Hardiness
2. Law of Emotional Choice
3. Law of Developmental Motivation

III. Social Law
1. Law of Human Dignity
2. Law of Present Living

IV. Vocational Law
1. Law of Life Mission
2. Law of Purpose through Service
3. Law of Stewardship

V. Spiritual Law
1. Law of Forgiveness
2. Law of Gratitude
3. Law of Personal Peace

On “Law of Purpose Through Service”…

Rotaract is the only thing that came out of my mind when this law was discussed. Some of the agreeable and reflective points for “true blooded Rotaractor” :) were:
-Mission is not about what comes back but what goes out
-Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value
-When we serve, our idea of the nature of helping expands. We grow.

I like the last point on growing. Personally, Rotaract simply expands my horizon of developmental growth on different aspects including lovelife!

Also, one of the striking points is “When you know your center, go there and don’t move. Just BLOOM where you are PLANTED!”.


Note:
I should give a better descriptive summary on my next story telling.